Don't play Games With God.

I'll start today's sermon with a joke. A child sat with her frail granny. The youngster played with her grandmother's priceless Bible. An ancient Bible leaf slipped out after a while. Its squeezed leaf was brittle and aged. "Look, Grandma, I found Adam's suit!" she said.

No, our Bibles don't contain Adam's leaf garment. This lighthearted misunderstanding leads to our serious issue for the day: "Don’t think you can play games with God." "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked" is our guiding verse from Galatians 6:7. The sower reaps."

Acts 5 recounts Ananias and Sapphira. They sold property and kept some of the money while professing to give it to the church. They thought they could fool the apostles—and God. God discovered their hearts and dishonesty. Both died instantly.

Jim Elliot, a missionary, remarked, "God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him." Ananias and Sapphira did not trust God and tried to control the situation. God's righteousness couldn't ignore this lie.

In the Old Testament, Jacob tricked his father and sibling to receive the blessing that was not his. He spent years in dread and exile after obtaining the blessing.

God, the all-knowing, all-seeing, and all-powerful Creator, cannot be manipulated. We can't lie or hide from Him. He understands our intentions, thoughts, and desires.

In Psalm 139:4, David states, "Before a word is on my tongue, you, LORD, know it completely." Flowery words, deceptive promises, and hypocrisy cannot deceive God. He understands everything.

In Hebrews 4:13, God sees everything. Everything is revealed to him to whom we must account."

We can't fool God. He knows us well and asks us to be honest in our religion, relationships, and dealings. God wants our full devotion, not half-heartedness.

"Lord, forgive us for our insincerity in our walk with you," we plead. Help us be honest, trust you, and serve you. We appreciate your mercy. Jesus' name, Amen."

Live our religion this week. Remember that what we seed, we will reap. Trust that God will reward your honesty, kindness, love, and fidelity.

Church, may God bless and authenticate your week! No God-playing. Bless you!